Mom's features held a striking resemblance to my own, a testament of our shared heritage, though she stood a few inches shorter than me.
"Goodmorning, mother." I greeted her as I took a seat at the table.
"Goodmorning Carillus." She greeted back as she places a plate before me, the aroma of eggs, bacon, and toast filled my nose as I stared down at the food before me, the eagerness to gobble up everything seems to grow inside of me.
"Now now, I do not want to see my sweet Carillus choke on his own food just because he's a little hungry." I turn towards her to see her smiling, her warm eyes focused on my expression.
"Am I that obvious?" I chuckled.
She sighed as she took a seat at the table, a mug of coffee in her hands, though it wouldn't take long for even the dumbest people to figure out her answer based on her expression.
As I began to dig into the food in front of me and savor the taste of the meal my mother had cooked, I couldn't help but feel slightly uncomfortable due to the relative silence that was prevailing throughout the meal.
After a whole five minutes had passed without any words being exchanged, I finally looked up and gazed at my mother.
"What's the matter?" I asked, staring at the worried expression on her face.
"Your school headmaster called yesterday evening," she started, a not-too-happy look visible on her face.
"What?" I asked, struggling to feign confusion and ignorance, I could already feel the rest of my appetite disappearing the moment she said those first few words.
"He said you were-" she paused, seemingly trying to find the right words, "not putting too much effort in your studies." I stared at her in silence, judging by her expression, she's clearly disappointed in me.
I looked away and stared at the unfinished plate of food in front of me. Clearly, any desire to eat it had been extinguished; shame had seemingly triumphed over any remnants of appetite left inside me.
After another minute of silence, I could only blurt out the two words that I could form with my mouth.
"I'm sorry." I muttered, casting a glance at her.
She tried to open her mouth to respond, yet after a brief pause, she ultimately chose to abandon the idea. With a slow headshake, her countenance took on a tinge of defeat.
Ever since father died, I began to turn towards different things to distract myself from my grief, clubbing, hanging out across the city with my friends, and drinking too much to the point that my classes and lessons are ignored, yes; I'm looking forward for the day today, looking forward to skip classes with my friends.
Slowly by slowly, I began to ignore my studies, my grades began to fail; and now, it seems as if a small fragile glass of dome was built inside of me, keeping all my torrent of emotions within.
All it would take is a single tap and that glass would shatter.
I gradually pushed my dish aside, rising from my seat with a cautious deliberation. It was in that moment that I caught my mother's gaze, which seemed to carry a sense of... anticipation?
Intrigued by the situation, I chose not to leave the table, my curiosity piqued. Rather than walking away, I patiently awaited her next move, sensing that she had something up her sleeve to unveil.
After a few seconds of silence, her face suddenly relaxed and a radiant smile appeared on her face.
"Happy birthday, Carillus." The words caught me off guard, a realization that I had momentarily forgotten the significance of the day.
Oh, right... How could I have forgotten? It's my 16th birthday today.
All the negative emotions I had been feeling just moments ago vanished, replaced by a profound sense of gratitude and happiness.
Before I could open my mouth to thank her, she gracefully reached into her pocket and revealed a pendant.
It didn't take long for me to recognize that it was from my father's.
I also remember him once saying "My father gave it to me on my 16th birthday."
It's a family heirloom, to be given something that holds so much value as that.
My eyes were already bulging from their sockets, my mouth unable to form a word as my mother offered the pendant to me.
"Your father wanted you to have this," she said, her voice a mixture of pride and sadness. My fingers closed around the pendant's gold form and I took my time admiring it.
It's made of polished gold and it's edges are adorned by beautifully carved engravings along with unknown symbols and writing, a language on it's own.
In its center, the pendant proudly showcased the intricate design of our family's emblem: a vibrant, raging torch rendered in a deep shade of brown, poised at the heart of an ocher field.
"Carillus De Greytower," she said my full name with a grace that hid the curiosity I've always felt. My whole name is unique and honestly kind of weird, not like the names my neighbors give their kids here in the United States. I still remember the times I introduced myself, the puzzled and surprised expressions they gave me when I said my full name, especially my last name.
Of course, my father and forefathers also carry the 'De Greystone' name, a legacy of travelers, warriors, and secrets hidden beneath layers of time.
Secrets I wish to uncover if I ever have the chance.
"Following the secret tradition our family has upheld for generations, you've now assumed the role of the family's head. Its wealth and possessions come under your care, though, as per the official records of our country, they're currently tied to my name. In due time, the formalities will align, and you'll rightfully inherit everything." My mother's voice held a graceful cadence, carrying an air of eloquence with each word she spoke.
I've never witnessed my mother adopt such a formal demeanor before.
My mind is so full of questions right now that I could only leave my mouth open, unable to register and comprehend what she had just said, much less even form a single word.
Secret traditions?
Assuming the role as family head?
There's so many questions I wanted to ask her right now.
My mother, sensing the confusion and surprised expression on my face, smiled before finally opening her mouth again to speak.
"Sweetie, I know you have a lot of questions right now, and I promise I'll answer everything by the end of the day. But let's not forget that you have school to attend to. You don't want another tardiness letter from the headmaster, do you?" As much as I want to quench my curiosity, she's right. I've already let her down, and I have no intention of adding to that disappointment.
With a reluctant nod, I gave her the best smile I could muster.
"Alright, see you later this afternoon, and... thank you." The moment my words of gratitude left my mouth, I felt the weight on my chest finally lift, as if a burden had been released from me.
She smiled at my words before giving me a small peck at the forehead.
"Stay safe," she softly replied as I turned away, pocketing my pendant and heading to the doorway of our house.
Opening the door, I took one last glance at my smiling mother before I finally step foot outside.
A strange feeling suddenly enveloped me, the air seemed to waver and warp, as if reality itself was bending, the ground beneath myself was no more and it took me a few seconds to realize that I was plummeting through an empty void, My heart raced as panic began to sink in, the sensation of weightlessness both exhilarating and terrifying, colors swirled around me, blurring into a surreal kaleidoscope.
Time seemed to stretch and a strange mixture of fear and awe washed over me. My surroundings were no longer tangible, no longer bound by the rules of the world I knew. It was as if I had stepped into a different dimension, a place beyond the boundaries of my understanding and reason.
With each passing moment, the unknown and odd sensation around me deepened. Reality assembled and disintegrated around me, a chaotic dance of light and shadow. It was as if the very fabric of existence was reshaping itself, molding me into something new. My thoughts were a jumble mix of confusion, different emotions swirling like a storm within me, I could no longer think properly.
And then, as quickly as it started, the swirling colors began to fade away. The empty space started to disappear, revealing a new landscape that seemed both strange and oddly known. I got ready as the ground came closer, the impact shaking me back to reality. When I felt my sneakers touched the firm ground again, I stumbled ahead, feeling confused and completely overwhelmed.
What the fuck was that?!
I looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of this strange new place. The air was thick with the scent of trees and foliage, the sky held an otherworldly hue, and the land itself seemed to pulse with an unfamiliar energy.
It took me half a minute to realize.
I'm no longer home.
.
.
.
.
.
CHAPTER DONE!!
The sounds of rustling leaves and nearby birdsong quickly filled my ears. I wildly looked around and an astounding sight met my eyes, towering trees surrounded me, their trunks wrapped in old most. The uneven ground was covered with a blanket of fallen leaves and protruding tree roots. I'm in some kind of a forest. Did that strange void drop me here? how? and why? As questions began to pop up one after another inside of my mind, I tried to recall the events that transpired as I arrived to this place, that strange feeling as I fell through the void while the world around me shift and bend as if the laws of physics doesn't exist. I began pinching myself, in hopes that I couldn't feel any pain and all of this is just a big bad dream. But the sensation of pain was undeniable; beyond that, my consciousness remained intact throughout the entire descent through the void and everything seems incredibly real. Despite my internal efforts to reject such notions, I know that deep within me
Gradually, as consciousness began to seep back into my senses, my head throbbed mercilessly, each throb sending waves of discomfort and agony, It was as if there was a heavy drilling operation taking place inside my head. Blinking my eyes open, everything is a blur as I slowly take in the sight of the blue sky above, I could feel the rough soil beneath my body, a clear indication that I now lay sprawled up on the ground below, leaves and dirt sticking to my skin, the air was also thick with the earthy scent of vegetation, and the distant sounds of rustling leaves and flowing water. "Argh!" I grunted in pain as a piercing pang suddenly shot through my head, causing me to wince and grit my teeth, gently placing my hand on my throbbing temple, I could feel a small bump forming beneath my palm, a sharp pain surging in my head each time my bump makes contact with my fingers. How did I..? And then my memories slowly reassembled itself, the image of the bear chasing me, my hasty and desp
I could feel the fresh breeze brush upon my face and tug at my hair as I made my descent towards the valley, my heart rapidly beating in anticipation and excitedness.Ignoring the pain around my whole body, I continued to limp across the vast plain of green, the soft rustling of grass filling my ears as I move forward, each stride sent a rush of exhilaration through my veins.With each breath, I could sense the fragrance of the grass and wind as I propelled my way forward, mingling with the adrenaline that surged within me, the rhythmic thud of my heart matched the rhythm of my feet.As I descended further, the expanse before me gradually unfolded, revealing the widening scope of my surroundings. Before long, my line of sight expanded, finally revealing the uninterrupted stretch of the south road that leads back towards the town in the far distance.The south road eventually breaks into two paths, one that leads towards the west from my current position, and the other one towards the
I found myself mysteriously standing within the confines of a hall full of people, after examining my surroundings for a while, it didn't take me too long to finally realize that I'm actually standing inside a throne room.Massive stone walls adorned with detailed tapestries surrounded me, their ancient-looking textures speak of history and a thousand stories, sunlight streamed through tall, arched windows, casting golden patterns across the polished marble floor, while flickering torchlights cast dancing shadows inside the room, the air is thick with the scent of perfume, sweat and the acrid smell of the nearby torches.At the middle of it all, a throne sat atop a raised platform, a symbol of power and authority. Seated upon the throne was an old man wearing a crown of gold, it's unmistakable a king.. but of what kingdom?In addition, hundreds of what appeared to be aristocrats and nobles sat on elevated benches on both sides of the room, while dozens of people surrounded the king, s
My body jolts slightly as the wagon moves forward along the rough and uneven road. Glancing around, I take in the sight of my ten fellow convicts, all of us cramped together in this suffocating, wretched box they call a wagon. My gaze shifts to the two guards from the garrison at the rear, clad in leather armor and armed with swords. The air inside carries an unbearable mix of sweat and foul breath, the constant creaking of the wagon and the murmurs of others around me creates a disconcerting symphony, adding to the tension in the confined space.It has been an hour since we left the dungeons of the Runderdale barracks. My butt is now sore from the rough and hard wood I'm sitting on, and I have to constantly adjust my sitting position despite the cramped space around me. I've already earned a few glares from the others because of this.And speaking of Runderdale barracks, it's located inside the town of Runderdale, the first town I saw after I emerged from that forest.I could still p
The rest of the ride was uneventful aside from the occasional chatter among the prisoners, for the next three hours, I endured the steadily increasing discomfort in my rear end caused by this wretched seat.But I made no complaints.. who am I to complain against two armed guards, not to mention that I don't speak their language.The once visible town was already gone, now replaced by seemingly endless rolling hills and a dirt road that seems to stretch as far as my eye could see. So far, we hadn't passed through any major settlements aside from a few hamlets.Interactions between me and Little Fish only limits to gestures and hand signs, though I occasionally find myself unintentionally slipping English words during my 'conversations' with him. Muscle jaw memories, I guess?When the wagon finally lurched to stop, the constant shaking and creaking of the wagon had finally ceased, replaced by a moment of peace and silence which offered small relief to the rest of us.By this point, all
As the guards ushered us toward the imposing gate, the relentless onslaught of the sun's rays bore down upon me, its searing touch unbearable. With each step, the weight of my body seemed to intensify, the air grew thick and stifling, making each breath a struggle, my throat felt parched, a dryness that consumed my senses and left me longing for even a drop of water to quench my thirst."Water, please..." The words left my lips in a hushed whisper.I could only hope they would offer us food and water before they send us to work.As we approach, the wooden palisade began to extend, its sturdy structure growing larger with each step, casting shadows over the ground. Atop the walls, sentries stood vigil, clad in suits of mail and gambesons, crossbows resting on their backs while gripping spears firmly in their hands, and furthermore, only half of the watchtowers were manned with the same guards, though I could see a few of them held bows.A sense of vulnerability washed over me, a realiz
The fuck is this?My eyes blink rapidly as I blankly stared at the parchment sitting atop the table in front of me, my shaking hand tightly gripping the quill given to me.There's a list of what seemed like signatures written in the parchment, a collection of markings resembling signatures yet devoid of any semblance to names, like a scribble that appeared as if a two-years old child had written it.Signatures only?... No names? do they find it acceptable to merely rely on our signatures as a means to document our identities and maintain a record of our existence?I look up and stare at the two men behind the table, patiently waiting for me to write my signature, though I could still find them occasionally stealing a few glances at the outfit and sling I'm wearing.I'm sticking out like a sore thumb, I better get myself a new set of clothes... I'm not comfortable with this attention I'm receiving right now.I could still remember the astonished looks of my fellow inmates, including Li
Seemingly shocked by his outburst, Gulfram released his grip on me and gazed at me with eyes filled with surprise." Carillus," He sighed, "You've already became a killer, and I know you're going to be good at this job until you die." Gulfram then clasp both of his hands together before moving his gaze towards the other miners. I followed his gaze and noticed that all of them were silently observing us. Even Little Fish and Roslik appeared unusually quiet, their eyes locked onto us with unwavering focus, though I could trace a few hints of worry and pity etched on their faces. "But please," He suddenly continued, now moving his gaze back towards me, "Just don't ever... ever let this quarry take away whatever childhood you have left." After everything that has happened to me, do childhood and all that shit even matter anymore? As much as I want to let my thoughts on the matter out, I controlled myself and kept quiet instead. And just like that, we spent the rest of the time disposin
The instant Gulfram gave the orders, every man sprang into action without hesitation. There were no complaints, only the faint sounds of acknowledgment and slight reactions.I noticed that the miners accompanying Roslik and Gulfram swiftly exited the alleyway and returned with a horse-drawn wagon a few dozen minutes later. The wagon was complete with a driver whom I had never met before.Meanwhile, I stood on the sidelines with my back against the wall, observing their process of loading the two bodies onto the cart with utmost silence and care.Little Fish also stood beside me, and though I could sense he was attempting to offer comfort by initiating small talk, his words, however, fell on deaf ears as my mind wandered elsewhere. I didn't even hear almost half of what he said."Sorry, can you repeat?" I ask, my face flushed with embarrassment and disappointment directed to myself.Little Fish sighed, but before he could open his mouth to speak, he suddenly turned his head towards som
Arriving in front of my shed, bloodied and exhausted, I cast one final wary glance around to ensure no one was following me. Finding no pursuers, I pushed open the flap and swiftly stepped inside.It seemed like everyone had already fallen asleep, but that was about to change. Little Fish was the first to stir at my abrupt return."Huh? who's-..." He stop his words when he saw my current state, eyes wide open with shock, he began waking everyone up one by one.I disregard any thoughts and worries about the consequences of my actions and plainly walk forward before sitting myself in the corner which is also my sleeping spot.By now, everyone had been roused from their slumber and was beginning to gather in front of me."Carillus, what happened?""What's with the blood, Saragonian?""There's so many blood on you, are those even yours?""Are you injured or something?""We were wondering why you're so late, Carillus. The fuck happened?"Arde was the first to question me, followed by the o
"You little shit!" The bald man screamed as he stumbled back, his hand clutching his bleeding head.By this point, rage and instincts had seized control of my body. Without warning, I launched myself at the bald man in front of me, swinging both of my hands wildly toward him simultaneously.I could hear the curly one behind the man in front of me cursing as their bodies collided, but I didn't stop there. Despite still in the process of regaining my breath, I continued my relentless attack, now switching the plank to my right hand.With the plank now in the grasp of my dominant hand, I could feel my swings becoming more accurate with each passing moment. They cut into parts of the bald man's arm as he raised it in a desperate attempt to block me. My sudden, rapid attacks were pushing him backward, inadvertently pushing the curly one behind him in the process."The fuck are you doing? it's a fucking child!" The curly one shoved the bald man aside, sending him sprawling to the ground, th
Before I could even process what had happened, a large fist suddenly shot out and struck me right in the face, and then everything went black.As I opened my eyes, I surprisingly found myself standing in the midst of a grassy vast plain. However, grass were not the only thing present around me, rows upon rows of men dressed in oddly familiar blue colored uniforms and carrying what appeared to be muskets were marching past me.At that very moment, after a brief and careful inspection, I came to realize that they were American soldiers, back during the Revolutionary War.But the question is... Where the fuck am I? and how the hell did I end up in here? The first thing I sensed when I first found myself in here, were the rhythmic stomps of their boots striking the earth and the distant, continuous beats of drummers, creating a mesmerizing symphony that seemed to hang in the air. Amidst this auditory dance, commands like 'Eyes front!' bellowed by nearby sergeants added to the tapestry of
Pulling the flap open, I carefully begin to enter the confines of a hastily assembled shack, slightly lowering my head due to how short the entrance is.As I entered, my eyes were drawn to a lone familiar miner seated with his back against the corner wall The air was heavy with the musty scent of dirt and dust, but I paid it no mind whatsoever."It's done, Erik." I said, resting my pickaxe on the wall besides me.Erik, the miner, acknowledged me with a nod, then rose from his seat and walked over to a wooden chest on his right.He stood at least a couple of inches taller than me, yet despite his slightly towering figure, he appeared incredibly slender. In his current topless state, the contours of his ribs were visible, protruding from his chest. His face had an intriguingly slightly-oblong shape, with droopy eyes and a long nose. A mop of short, tousled hair sat atop his head, and a modest stubble adorned his mouth area, suggesting he was likely in his thirties.Opening it, he began
The moment those words escaped from Gulfram's mouth, an overwhelming wave of joy and excitement flooded over me.Tunneling?! yes, this could be it... Digging our tunnel to freedom! Why didn't I think of this earlier... but then again, it likely demands manpower, tools, and an unbelievably long amount of time. I could never excavate a tunnel all on my own. Now that I have friends in the quarry, including Gulfram himself, then maybe... tunneling our way out of this damned place might become feasible.Despite my best efforts to hide my elation, I couldn't escape Gulfram's disapproving shake of the head, a clear indicator that my true emotions had been revealed.But why is he like this?After a moment's hesitation, I mustered the courage to pose the burning question that had been gnawing at my thoughts, "You want escape?"His eyes widen slightly at my question, clearly caught off guard. 'What do you mean by wanting to escape?' he asked, his hand rising to scratch his beard in contemplati
"So, what would you like to discuss before we begin our lessons?" Gulfram asked, taking a seat behind a table and placing his pickaxe against the wall to his left.Closing the door behind me, I then make my way towards the table before eventually sitting right in front of him."Uh yes," I finally began, rubbing my right palm on my frozen left hand for slight warmth to remove the chill that clung unto me from the outside."Did anyone.." I paused, searching for the right words in my limited Artanian vocabulary to continue my question. After a few seconds of pondering, I finally found the perfect ones, "Try escape quarry? anyone succeed?" I knew my Artanian was this bad, but I think it's enough for Gulfram to understand it's meaning.He froze, his eyes widening at the same time."Don't tell me you-" before he could finish his statement, I suddenly interrupted him."N-No no no, you think wrong." I waved my hands at him, chuckling nervously in the process, "I's just curious.. yes, curious.
Months had passed, and the brisk winds of autumn were now in full swing. The days seemed noticeably shorter than before, and the air carried a crisp chill, with temperatures gradually dropping.Sighing, I turned towards my fellow miners in the group, who were arranged in a line on my left. Each of them was diligently working on their section of the wall-like rock in front of us, the relentless sound of their pickaxes hitting the rock creating a cacophony of clanks and thuds that resonated within the nearby area.Not to mention the pervasive scent of sweat that hung in the air. It was only thanks to the occasional cold breeze that wafted over us, briefly dissipating the familiar stench of sweat, before it inevitably returned once more.I withdrew my gaze and turned to look at my right hand, which was firmly gripping the handle of my pickaxe, its head resting on the ground below. The muscles in my right arm had grown significantly over the past months. Comparing it to my broken left arm